 OCTOBER 22 • 2020 | 39

SOUL

OF BLESSED MEMORY

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Philanthropist Touched Many Lives

E

dward Meer was 
renowned for his gen-
erosity to the Detroit 
Jewish community, his 
exceptional business acumen 
and his unflagging devotion 
to his family. 
 The Bloomfield Hills res-
ident, who enhanced many 
lives with his philanthropy, 
kindness and integrity, died 
on Oct. 5, 2020, at age 95.
The son of immigrant 
parents Harry and Tillie, Ed 
was born in Detroit in 1925. 
He attended Central High 
School, where he met his 
first wife, Norma Jean. Soon 
after graduation, he was 
drafted into the Army and 
sent to the Pacific during 
WWII, and the two contin-
ued their courtship by mail 
for the next two-and-a-half 
years.
Finding himself in the 
thick of front-line combat, 
the 18-year-old’
s wartime 
experiences made him grow 
up fast and realize what was 
important in life.
When he returned, Ed 
married Norma Jean and 
together they raised three 
sons. Over 52 years, they 
watched their family grow, 
happily welcoming daugh-
ters-in-law, grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren and 
great-great-grandchildren. 
The phenomenal success 
story of Meer Dental Supply 
is a testament to Ed’
s char-
acter and remarkable busi-
ness skills. After the war, he 
joined his father’
s small den-
tal business in Detroit and 
built it up gradually through 

personal relationships and 
persistence. He held semi-
nars for local dental students, 
advising them on setting up 
their offices and offering 
financing at favorable terms.
“If a young dentist wanted 
six chairs, Ed would tell him 
to start with two,” said Rabbi 
E.B. “Bunny” Freedman, who 
officiated at the funeral. “He 
nurtured a whole generation, 
and when they expanded, 
they went to Ed. 
“To sit with him at lunch 
was to study what it means 
to be a mensch.”
Ed’
s instinct to be honest 
and helpful with customers 
resulted in Meer Dental 
Supply becoming the third 
largest dental supply compa-
ny in the country.
After Norma Jean passed 
away, Ed eventually met and 
married Gloria. Together, 
they enjoyed traveling, the-
ater and spending time with 
their blended family, which 
includes Gloria’
s three sons, 
their wives and grandchil-
dren.

A GENEROUS SOUL
As a philanthropist, Ed’
s 
generosity was legendary. 
When two of his sons, 
Jeffrey and Robert, adopted 
an Orthodox lifestyle, Ed 
became interested in helping 
synagogues and schools. He 
funded many construction 
projects, including a science 
lab at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah’
s 
Beth Jacob School for Girls 
in Oak Park and gymnasi-
ums at Farber Hebrew Day 
School and Yeshivas Darchei 

Torah in Southfield, and 
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater 
Detroit Lubavitch Cheder in 
Oak Park.
Impressed by the work of 
Yad Ezra kosher food pan-
try, Ed bought and helped 
redesign a building for the 
organization. He played 
an instrumental part in 
building Jewish Senior Life’
s 
Norma Jean and Edward 
Meer Apartments in West 
Bloomfield. He provided 
funding to Jewish Hospice 
& Chaplaincy Network for 
office space in the Orley 
Jewish Family Service build-
ing in West Bloomfield. 
“There are not many 
people in this community 
that haven’
t benefited from 
one of the organizations 
Ed supported,” said Rabbi 
Freedman, who is also CEO 
and founding director of 
Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy 
Network.
One of Ed’
s most trans-
formational gifts was the 
Meer Family Friendship 
Center in West Bloomfield, 
home to Friendship Circle 

of Michigan. Executive 
Director Rabbi Levi Shemtov 
remembers the annual din-
ner in 1999, where he shared 
his dream of creating 5,000 
square-foot facility to house 
the organization’
s many pro-
grams, classes and activities. 
After dinner, Ed 
approached Rabbi Shemtov 
and said three words that 
would have a lasting impact 
on hundreds of children with 
special needs and their fami-
lies: “I’
ll do it.” 
Ed Meer is survived by his 
wife, Gloria Meer; children, 
Reuven “Robert” and Shani 
Meer, Dr. Aaron “Jeffrey” 
and Phyllis Meer, Brian 
and Lisa Meer, Howard 
and Jill Labe, Robert and 
Mary Lou Labe, and Eric 
and Monica Labe; sister 
and brother-in-law, Norma 
and Herbert Handelsman; 
numerous grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren and 
great-great-grandchildren. 
He is also survived by his 
devoted caregiver, Elaine 
Johnson.
Ed was also the beloved 
husband of the late Norma 
Jean Meer; dear brother and 
brother-in-law of the late 
Marion and Arnold Wisper.
Interment was at Adat 
Shalom Memorial Park. 
Contributions may be made 
to Friendship Circle of 
Michigan, 6892 W. Maple 
Road, West Bloomfield, MI 
48322; Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 
11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 
48072 or a charity of one’
s 
choice. Arrangements by 
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. 

Edward Meer

